Tehran puts nuclear plans back on table

Henry Meyer

Iran is ready to suspend enrichment of uranium to 20 per cent, a key demand of world powers at talks over its disputed nuclear program, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

In return, the Islamic republic must be offered ''weighty reciprocal steps'', including a gradual lifting of unilateral and United Nations sanctions, Mr Lavrov said in an interview with the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.

''This could become a breakthrough agreement that could largely remove the tension surrounding the existing problems, including concern about enrichment rising to weapons level,'' he said. ''It would be unforgivable not to use this opportunity.''

Progress on an interim proposal by the world powers - the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia - for Iran to suspend its 20 per cent enrichment of uranium in return for limited relief from sanctions was scuttled at the latest round of talks in April by Iran's insistence on being assured that what it sees as its right to peaceful enrichment of uranium will eventually be recognised.

Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili said that while his country would consider the step of suspending enrichment at 20 per cent levels, ''we must know upon what foundations it rests''. Recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful use under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty would move the talks forward, he said.

Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani said on Monday he will make the country's nuclear program more transparent as he seeks to ease tension with the US.